Priest · Feast day May 26
St. Philip Neri
The feast day of St. Philip Neri is May 26, a memorial in the US Catholic calendar. Below: a short life and 2 sourced quotations in their own words.
| Feast day | May 26 |
|---|---|
| In the US calendar | Memorial |
| Title | Priest |
| Died | 1595 |
| In their own words | 2 sourced quotations · 1 attributed saying (source unconfirmed) |
| Next on Bless’s Today screen | None left in the published calendar (through December 31, 2028) |
Life
The ‘Apostle of Rome’ and its merriest saint. He spent nights praying in the catacombs — where his heart was mysteriously enlarged — and days gathering young men for prayer, music, and jokes in what became the Oratory.
He deflated his own reputation for sanctity with pranks, half-shaved beards, and books of riddles, holding that cheerfulness strengthens the heart more than severity. He died at eighty, beloved by the whole city.
In their own words
Each quotation names the work it comes from. Bless quotes these in the comments beside the verses listed under In Scripture.
Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life; wherefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.
A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.
Attributed, source unconfirmed
These sayings circulate under the saint’s name, but no source has been confirmed. Bless shows them with that label.
The Lord is on the throne of my heart; He rules, He governs.
In Scripture
In Bless, St. Philip Neri’s words appear in the comments beside these verses. This page’s labels say how each is linked: “on this verse” means the saint wrote about that very verse; “on this theme” means the quotation shares its theme. Scripture is quoted from the Catholic Public Domain Version.
On this theme
And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 · CPDV Beside their words: “Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life; wherefore the…”
On this theme · source unconfirmed
The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom will rule over all.
Psalm 102:19 · CPDV Beside their words: “The Lord is on the throne of my heart; He rules, He governs.”
On this theme
A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 · CPDV Beside their words: “A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.”
On this theme
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 · CPDV Beside their words: “Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life; wherefore the…”
On this theme
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 · CPDV Beside their words: “A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.”
On this theme · source unconfirmed
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone will hear my voice and will open the door to me, I will enter to him, and I will dine with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20 · CPDV Beside their words: “The Lord is on the throne of my heart; He rules, He governs.”
In the calendar
The upcoming dates, through December 31, 2028, when Bless’s Today screen shows St. Philip Neri. Where the US calendar keeps another celebration that day, it is named instead and no rank is given.
Readings
No dates are left in Bless’s published calendar, which runs through December 31, 2028. St. Philip Neri keeps May 26 in Bless’s calendar of saints: see the saints of May.
All the saints of May Born on May 26? A saint for every day
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